Spring propelled magnetic disk game device



arch i4, i967 E. M. SlRE 3,309,090

SPRING PROPELLED MAGNETIC DISK GAME DEVICE Filed April '7, 1964 MWlllllllll FIG. 3

FIG. 3A

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FIGJZ INVENTOR.

United States Patent Ofice 3,309,090' Patented Mar. 14, 1967 3,309,0SPRING PRGPELLED MAGNETIC DISK GAME DEVICE Edouard M. Sire, 69 W. 9thSt., New York, N.Y. 10011 Filed Apr. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 357,968 3 Claims.(Cl. 273-89) This invention relates to games and more particularly to amagnetic game element.

Many games or the like are based upon the use of a striker arm which isemployed to propel a movable object such as a disk. In many cases thestriker arm is cocked as by compressing a spring and is released so asto propel the disk. Such an action might be employed in various types ofgames. However, a serious defect of such action is that it is diicult tomaintain effective control of the disk trajectory unless a seat isprovided for the disk. Even so, the spring generally dissipatessubstantial energy before striking the disk and the consequentuncertainty of action likewise constitutes a defect.

With the foregoing in mind, and in the interest of further advantages aswill be shown hereinafter, I have devised a propelling arm whicheliminates the above objections and which further provides a mostunusual action in that the disk or other propelled object is thrown orflung rather than being struck. Not only does this result in mosteffective control of the trajectory but it simulates throwing action asby the pitcher in a baseball game. It is understood, of course, that apitcher in such a game does not strike the ball; he holds the ball,retracts his arm and then throws or dings the ball towards the batter.

I have provided the desired structure by forming a striker arm offerrous spring material which can coact magnetically with a diskfabricated of permanent magnetic material. The propelling arm ispreferably formed with a concave portion which serves to temporarilyseat the disk in a pre-determined position relative to the propellingarm. The arm then may be flexed or bent against its spring action, thedisk following such movement of the arm because of its magneticadherence thereto. When the arm is released, the disk will be forcefullythrown or flung in a direction calculated by the player. v

A device of the above type may find particular usefulness in a game suchas where the pitcher throws fan object to a catcher while a batterattempts to hit the object during its ight so as to achieve a score ofsome kind. However, the device will be found to be useful in many othertypes of games.

The invention will be further understood from the following descriptionand figures in which:

FIGURE l is a top plan view of a game board illustrating my invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along line 2-2 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan View of a modified embodiment of the propelling arm,and;

FIGURE 3A is a side view of said modified embodiment.

The game shown in FIGURE 1 simulates a simplified baseball action,probably more in the nature of a warmup or bull-pen action rather thanthe complete game. The game comprises a board 10, the playing surface ofwhich is flat or planar apart from receptacles or chambers 13 which areformed by respective depressions at opposite ends of the board 1i). Itmay here be explained that since the game as described is suitable forback-andforth operation by two opposing players, the playing areas orformations at one end of the board duplicate those on the other end,while a runway 11 connects the respective ends.

Referring now to end A of the board, an elevated plate 14 is providedwhich may be continuous with a wall 1S which wall extends along most ofthe entire side of the device, thus serving as a confining wall as willhereinafter be made clear.

Propelling arm 16 is of ferrous material, being fabricated of a fiatspring steel of a type used for the mainspring of large clocks. In theform shown it is about two or three inches long, with a width of about1/2 inch and a thickness of about 1/32 inch, but these measurements arenot important to the operation of the device. The spring arm orpropelling arm 16 has the inner end thereof embedded in wall 15 whilethe outer end is slightly bent at 17 to provide a fingertip holdingmember.

Substantially centrally of propelling arm 16 is formed a concavity 18which serves as a seat for the disk 19 which constitutes the playingdisk or ball.

Disk 19 is a permanent magnet of conventional construction. For example,the ferrite type which is bonded by a ceramic may be employed in theinterests of lightness. However, an Alnico magnet is also usable. Such amagnet is generally polarized on the opposite fiat faces thereof (asdescribed in my prior Patent No. 3,090,622 dated May 21, 1963, althoughsuch particular polarization is not important in the presentenvironment). In a satisfactorily operating embodiment, the disk 19 wasabout 3A of an inch in diameter, about 1A; of an inch thick and weighedabout 1/2 ounce.

The opposite end or area B of the board is provided with a substantiallyU-shaped wall 20, the wall 20 having one outwardly inclined arm to widenthe U, the wall 20 being fixedly mounted on the board and serving as acatching enclosure for the propelled disk. Thus, it may be consideredthat wall 20 is the catcher in the garne. As `will be shown hereinafter,if the batter misses the ball it will come to rest in the catcherenclosure 20.

Wall 21 of U-shaped catcher enclosure 20 has embedded therein one end ofa fiat spring 22. Spring arm 22 simulates the action of a bat. It may befabricated of the same material as propelling arm 16 although itsferrous nature is not of importance since its magnetic coaction with thedisk will 'be of no consequence. Spring arm 22 normally extends directlyoutwardly as shown by the full lines on FIGURE 1. It is cocked when aplayer draws back the free end thereof to the dotted line position shownin FIGURE 1. It will be observed that wall 15 is curved outwardly topermit such cocking and is further formed with a limiting projection 23to insure against the bat 22 being drawn too far rearwardly which mightdamage it.

The operation of the game will now be explained.

First, the player at end A will deposit permanent magnet disk in theconcavity 18, where it will adhere and become seated byA virtue ofmagnetic attraction between the disk 19 and the steel spring propellingarm 16. The player will then draw rearwardly on the end 17 until thepropelling arm 16 is approximately in the dotted line position shown inFIGURE 1. It will be understood that the seated disk 19 will follow thepropelling `arrn as it is retracted. This is indeed a most unique actionin that it simulates the action and function of :a live pitcher in abaseball game. In other words, a pitcher generally holds the ball,retracts his arm `and then ings or propels the ball forward. The samegeneral action occurs in my game since the disk 19 is held by thestriker arm, retracting with it, and is thereafter iiung forwardly whenthe striker ann is released.

Assume now that player at A has retracted and then released thepropelling arm 16. Normally, the diametrical chord of concavity 18 is inalignment with the longitudinal axis of the elongated board. Accordinglyit will be found that the trajectory of the disk is directly forwardlyin the path of the diametrical chord and is further adjacent to thecentral reach of wall V as indicated by arrows 25, the wall 15 confiningbut not touching or guiding the disk. The disk willtravel down one sideofrunway 11, toward the spring bat or arm 22. The player at end B hasmeanwhilev cocked thev bat 22 rearwardly. He awaits arrival of the disk19 just :as would a batter in a baseball game. n

When the disk 19 arrives at the playing area B, the batter will releasethe b-at 22 at what he believes is the proper time. If he hits it, thedisk 19 will move somewhat in the direction of arrows 25 and will cometo rest in the depression or receptacle 13. lf he should miss or notswing at all, the disk may lbe caught in the U-Shaped catcher enclosure20, although it may miss if the pitcher had directed the disk poorly.The` outwardly inclined arm of enclosure Wall is of importance since itwidens the U as above set forth and accepts a poorly directed disk bydiverting it toward the enclosure wall 20. The action may be repeated ifdesired, using either thek same disk or more disks.

The player at end B will go through the same pitching action, employingthe propelling arm 27 while the A player. attempts to hit the disk byusing the hat member 28. It will be observed that each player propels`the disk along opposite sides of runway 11, the respective bat members,22 and 28 being diagonally opposite each other at the respective playareas A and B.

In AFIGURES 3 and 3A is disclosed an individualk pro-y -peiling device30'which may be used such as are they mounted arms 16 and 27. Device 30comprises a handle 31 which imay be of wood or plasticr and within whichis embedded the ferrous spring propelling arm 32 which is fabricated ofthe same material as the arm 16 or 27.

Propelling arm 32 is formed with a concavity l33 designedv to seat apermanent magnet disk as above described.

The device shown in FIGURES 3 land 3A can be employed on any kind of aflat surface and in any game where a propelling arm may be employed,whether or not with a batter. For example, it may be employe-d in a gameresembling marbles wherer one player attempts to strike another disk ata. distance, or attempts to direct the propelled disk in a game area,such as in the game of shuifle'board. The stiker arm may. be bodilyoriented in any desired way in a game of this type.

I have shown what'are now considered preferred yernbodiments of Imyinvention but it is obvious that numerous omissions and changes may bemade therein without departing from its spirit.

What is claimed is:

1. A game comprising a propelling arm, said arm being fabricated of aferrous, flat, spring material and being formed vwith a concave portion,a disk fabricated of permanent magnet material and being of a sizewhereby said concave portion may receive and seat said disk by magneticattraction, said arm being bendable and adapted to forcefully ing saiddisk away fromits said seat when said arm is bent and is thereafterreleased 4 from its bent position, a flat board on which said propellingarm is mounted, atrunway formed on said iiat board and along which thelung disk is adapted to travel, a batting arm for hitting saiddisk whileit is travelling down said runway, said batting arm comprising a springmem-ber one end of which is xedly mounted in lrespect to said board,said game including a U-shaped catching enclosure following saidbattiugarm at one end of said runway whereby if said travelling disk is not`hit by said batting arm, the disk will continue to travel and be caughtin said catching enclosure, said U-shaped catch.- ing enclosure beingfixedly mounted on said board, 'said one end of said batting arm beingmounted in one rarm of said U-shaped catching enclosure, and areceptacle formed on saidboard opposite said batting arm for receiving adisk after it is hit 'by said batting arm.

2. A game comprising a substantially ilat, elongated board, a playingarea at each end of said board and an elongated runwayconnecting theareas, a propelling yarm mounted in each area so as-to be respectivelydiagonally opposite each other, each of said propelling arms beingfabricated of a ferrous, flat spring material and being` formed with asubstantially central concave portion, a disk `fabricated of permanentmagnet material and being of asize whereby said concave portion mayreceive and seat said disk .by magnetic attraction, said propellingarmybeing bendable and adapted to forcefully iling vrsaid disk along atrajectory straight forwardly along one side of j said runway when saidpropelling arm is bent and is,

thereafter released fromits bent position, and a batting arm at eacher1-d of said hoard, each kof said batting arms comprising a springmember one end offwhich is i'ixedly mounted in respect to said boa-rd,and a U-shaped catching enclosure at each end of said board forreceiving a propelled disk if it is not struck by vsaid batting arm anddiverted from its trajectory, the respective trajectories of said diskwhen propelled by the diagonally opposite propelling arms beingalongopposite sides of said runway, Iand saidy batting arms being diagonallyopposite each other at the respective ends of the board.

3. A game according to claim2 and wherein one armV of said U-shapedcatching enclosure is inclined outwardly for diverting a propelleddisk-toward said enclosure when it strikes said outwardly inclined arm.-

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 637,549 11/1899Engel et al. 273-89 1,013,350 1/1912 Wilson 124--7 1,115,148 10/1914Zimmerman 124-7 1,852,401 8/1932' De Camps. 1,942,429 1/1934 Jacobs273-89 2,003,145 5/1935 Grauer 273-89 2,903,264 9/1959 Munro et al.273--85 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

A. W. KRAMER, Assistant Examiner,

2. A GAME COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT, ELONGATED BOARD, A PLAYINGAREA AT EACH END OF SAID BOARD AND AN ELONGATED RUNWAY CONNECTING THEAREAS, A PROPELLING ARM MOUNTED IN EACH AREA SO AS TO BE RESPECTIVELYDIAGONALLY OPPOSITE EACH OTHER, EACH OF SAID PROPELLING ARMS BEINGFABRICATED OF A FERROUS, FLAT SPRING MATERIAL AND BEING FORMED WITH ASUBSTANTIALLY CENTRAL CONCAVE PORTION, A DISK FABRICATED OF PERMANENTMAGNET MATERIAL AND BEING OF A SIZE WHEREBY SAID CONCAVE PORTION MAYRECEIVE AND SEAT SAID DISK BY MAGNETIC ATTRACTION, SAID PROPELLING ARMBEING BENDABLE AND ADAPTED TO FORCEFULLY FLING SAID DISK ALONG ATRAJECTORY STRAIGHT FORWARDLY ALONG ONE SIDE OF SAID RUNWAY WHEN SAIDPROPELLING ARM IS BENT AND IS THEREAFTER RELEASED FROM ITS BENTPOSITION, AND A BATTING ARM AT EACH END OF SAID BOARD, EACH OF SAIDBATTING ARMS COMPRISING A SPRING MEMBER ONE END OF WHICH IS FIXEDLYMOUNTED IN RESPECT TO SAID BOARD, AND A U-SHAPED CATCHING ENCLOSURE ATEACH END OF SAID BOARD FOR RECEIVING A PROPELLED DISK IF IT IS NOTSTRUCK BY SAID BATTING ARM AND DIVERTED FROM ITS TRAJECTORY, THERESPECTIVE TRAJECTORIES OF SAID DISK WHEN PROPELLED BY THE DIAGONALLYOPPOSITE PROPELLING ARMS BEING ALONG OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID RUNWAY, ANDSAID BATTING ARMS BEING DIAGONALLY OPPOSITE EACH OTHER AT THE RESPECTIVEENDS OF THE BOARD.